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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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LOCAL LEGISLATOR STANDS UP FOR QUALITY CARE IN NURSING HOMES
ST. PAUL – State Representative Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul) has co-authored a long-term care bill (HF721) this session that has garnered widespread bipartisan support among legislators. The bill would provide a five percent funding increase for long-term care providers in both 2007 and 2008. Seventy-five percent of this increase would go to direct care workers, with the remaining 25 percent given to the provider.
"My father currently lives in a nursing home. Because of that I understand personally that those who care for our loved ones in nursing homes are compassionate and dedicated people who recognize the importance of helping our seniors live out their lives with dignity and self-respect," said Rep. Hansen. "They deserve to be paid adequately for their efforts."
Several years ago, the state froze reimbursement rates for nursing homes and cut their budgets by $32 million statewide. Because of this, one in four of Minnesota's 402 nursing homes were at risk of closing because of financial losses. In the past ten years, well over 30 nursing homes across the state have closed, with as many as six more at risk before the end of the year.
As a result of these cuts, nursing home staff have not received a cost of living increase in over three years. Legislative efforts in 2005 to pass a cost of living adjustment were struck down and nursing home staff wages still lag behind those of hospital staff and other caregivers. As a result, it is very difficult for nursing homes in Minnesota to retain good staff.
"We need to provide nursing home staff livable wages to encourage good people to remain caring for our parents and grandparents who rely on them for help," said Hansen. "I am hopeful that my fellow legislators will join me in moving this bill forward. In doing so we can restore our state's commitment to nursing homes, and to our loved ones who call them home."
HF721 is supported by Seniors and Workers for Quality and coalition of numerous advocacy and labor organizations statewide including: AARP; Alzheimer's Association; ElderCare Rights Alliance; League of Women Voters; Minnesota Adult Day Services Association; Minnesota Nurses Association; National Association of Social Workers; and the Union Coalition of Long Term Care Workers (UFCW, SEIU, AFSCME, USWA, UNITE HERE!).
"With an increasingly aging population, our nursing homes are in need of additional funding to meet this growing demand," said Hansen. "Our senior citizens deserve better. We cannot neglect the hardworking folks working in our nursing homes. Now is the time to move forward on this important initiative."
The bill is now moving through the committee process.
News Items
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